Enzyme food supplement composition containing beta-fructofuranosidase, cellulase and hemicellulase

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement composition, which alleviates gastrointestinal distress caused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, comprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulase enzyme. More particularly, the enzyme food supplement composition of this invention comprises a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme, a hemicellulase enzyme, a lipase enzyme and an acid protease enzyme. This invention also relates to a method of alleviating gastrointestinal distress in the gastrointestinal system of a human being, which distress is caused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, the method comprising the step of ingesting a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement composition comprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulase enzyme, to convert oligosaccharides contained in the ingested food to reducing sugars. More particularly, the method of alleviating gastrointestinal distress of this invention comprises the step of ingesting an enzyme food supplement composition comprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme, a hemicellulase enzyme, a lipase enzyme and an acid protease enzyme, to convert oligosaccharides contained in the ingested food to reducing sugars.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/194,712, filedFeb. 10, 1994, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme foodsupplement composition, which alleviates gastrointestinal distresscaused by ingested food containing the oligosaccharides raffinose,stachyose and verbascose. In one embodiment, the enzyme food supplementcomposition of this invention comprises a beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulase enzyme. Moreparticularly, the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplementcomposition of this invention comprises a beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme, a cellulase enzyme, a hemicellulase enzyme, a lipase enzyme andan acid protease enzyme.

This invention also relates to a method of alleviating gastrointestinaldistress in the gastrointestinal system of a human being, which distressis caused by ingested food containing the oligosaccharides raffinose,stachyose and verbascose. In one embodiment, the method of thisinvention comprises the step of ingesting a beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme food supplement composition comprising a beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulase enzyme, to convert theoligosaccharides raffinose, stachyose and verbascose contained iningested food to reducing sugars. The beta-fructofuranosidase enzymeconverts these oligosaccharides, which cause gastrointestinal distress,to reducing sugars which are easily digested by the endogenous enzymesin the gastrointestinal system. More particularly, the method ofalleviating gastrointestinal distress of this invention comprises thestep of ingesting a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplementcomposition comprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulaseenzyme, a hemicellulase enzyme, a lipase enzyme and an acid proteaseenzyme, to convert the oligosaccharides raffinose, stachyose andverbascose contained in ingested food to reducing sugars.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement compositionwas invented to meet the needs of the numerous people who needlesslysuffer from gastrointestinal discomfort and flatulence because of thedifficulty they have in digesting the oligosaccharides raffinose,stachyose and verbascose, which are known as alpha-galactosyloligosaccharides, and are present in various foods such as legumes,bran, cruciferous vegetables, onions, garlic and some fruits. Becausethese oligosaccharides are not digestible by enzymes endogenous to ahuman's gastrointestinal system, they pass intact to the largeintestine, where they are consumed by putrefactive bacteria such asClostridia and E. coli and evolve as the metabolic by-product gasescarbon dioxide and hydrogen as well as noxious methane. Even though thepercentage of the oligosaccharides raffinose, stachyose and verbascosein these types of foods may seem small (for example, approximately onlytwo percent are found in a prime offender, refried beans), waste gasescan still be produced in sufficient volumes to cause gastrointestinalcramping and discomfort, as well as flatulence, that often accompany theintake of ingested foods containing these oligosaccharides. Thebeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme of the present invention is able toconvert these offending oligosaccharides into the simpler, digestiblesugars, such as fructose, which are known as reducing sugars, therebyalleviating gastrointestinal distress.

Prior to the present invention, to alleviate the gastrointestinalproblems caused by ingesting foods containing these offendingoligosaccharides people had the choice of either avoiding these foodsentirely or using a food additive or an enzyme food supplementcomposition which contained the enzyme alpha-galactosidase as the onlyactive ingredient.

A liquid product sold under the trademark BEANO by AkPharma has beendescribed as an enzyme or food additive that reduces or eliminates theintestinal gas produced when foods such as beans, broccoli, bran andother vegetables and grains that are a staple in healthy low-fat,high-fiber diets, are eaten. That liquid food additive BEANO productcontains the enzyme alpha-galactosidase obtained from Aspergillus niger.The alpha-galactosidase enzyme contained in the BEANO product works in adifferent manner than the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme contained inthe enzyme food supplement composition of the present invention. Thebeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme reduces the oligosaccharides ofraffinose, stachyose and verboscose by converting the fructofuranoseportion of the molecule to fructose. The alpha-galactosidase enzymereacts with the galactopyranose portion of the raffinose, stachyose andverbascose molecules, but leaves the glucopyranose frustofuranoseportion of those molecules intact.

The additional enzymes contained in the compositions of the presentinvention--the cellulase, hemicellulase, lipase and acid proteaseenzymes--are believed to contribute to the further alleviation ofgastrointestinal distress by enhancing the conversion ofoligosaccharides to reducing sugars in the following manner.

The cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes of the enzyme food supplementcompositions of this invention degrade the cellulosic and hemicellulosicconstituents contained in the plant cell walls of the ingested food.This degradation leads to the release of oligosaccharides contained inthe plant cells, thereby making these oligosaccharides available forconversion to reducing sugars by the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme ofthe present invention. Without the presence of the cellulase andhemicellulase enzymes in the enzyme food supplement composition of thepresent invention, the plant cell walls contained in ingested food wouldnot be degraded by the digestive enzymes endogenous to thegastrointestinal tract of a human being. The cellulase enzyme isimportant because it degrades the primary plant cell wall, which ifpassed to the colon as intact plant cells can be attacked byputrefactive bacteria such a C. perfringens, which ferment the contentsof the plant cell, causing gastric distress. The hemicellulase enzyme isimportant because it breaks the structure of xylans and relatedcompounds, which are usually associated with cellulose and lignin inleguminous foods. This enzymatic activity helps to free the cellulosefor hydrolysis by cellulase. Therefore, the presence of the cellulaseand hemicellulase enzymes of the enzyme food supplement compositions ofthis invention degrade cellulosic and hemicellulosic constituentscontained in the ingested food, to attain an enhanced quantity ofreducing sugars through oligosaccharide conversion, thereby furtheralleviating gastrointestinal distress.

The optional lipase enzyme is important because many recipes containinglegumes, such as refried beans, also contain large amounts of fat, andthe lipase enzyme aids in the digestion of fats or lipids. Themaldigestion of such fats or lipids can cause or aggravate heartburn,hiatus hernia and esophageal reflux. Ingested lipids can also coatingested food particles and limit their ability to interact with theother enzymes, in particular the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme of thepresent invention. This coating effect is diminished by enzymatichydrolysis of the fats or lipids contained in ingested foods.

The optional acid protease enzyme of the present invention is importantfor several reasons. The acid protease enzyme degrades proteinaceoustrypsin inhibitor and alpha-amylase inhibitor, which interfere withnormal digestion, in addition to aiding in general protein digestion. Inaddition, the acid protease enzyme of the present invention helps tobreak down lipoproteins and glycoproteins contained in foods likelegumes.

Because foods containing the troublesome oligosaccharides raffinose,stachyose and verbascose also contain lipids and lipoproteins which tendto coat the ingested food and thereby hinder the beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme from contacting these oligosaccharides and thereby convertingthem to reducing sugars, an additional advantage of the presentinvention is the presence of a lipase enzyme to hydrolyze the ingestedlipids coating ingested food and the presence of an acid protease enzymeto deconjugate the ingested lipoproteins coating ingested food, toattain an enhanced quantity of reducing sugars through oligosaccharideconversion.

The enzyme food supplement compositions of this invention are of valueto any one who has suffered gastrointestinal distress caused byingesting foods containing the oligosaccharides raffinose, stachyose andverbascose.

To the best of applicant's knowledge, the presently claimedbeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement compositions are thefirst such compositions that seek to alleviate the problem ofgastrointestinal distress by utilizing the unique combination of abeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulaseenzyme, and optionally a lipase enzyme and an acid protease enzyme.

The major advantage of the present invention is that the uniquecombination of enzymes is able to convert, effectively in thegastrointestinal system of a human being, undigestible oligosaccharidesto digestible reducing sugars, thereby alleviating gastrointestinaldistress which is normally associated with the ingestion of foodscontaining such oligosaccharides.

These and additional objects and advantages of the present invention areshown from the description below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme foodsupplement composition, which alleviates gastrointestinal distresscaused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, said compositioncomprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme and ahemicellulase enzyme.

This invention further relates to a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme foodsupplement composition, which alleviates gastrointestinal distresscaused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, said compositioncomprising a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme, ahemicellulase enzyme, a lipase enzyme and an acid protease enzyme.

This invention still further relates to the above-mentionedbeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement compositions wherein thebeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme is obtained from Saccharomycescerevisiae, the cellulase enzyme is obtained from a member selected fromthe group consisting of Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma viride(reesei), the hemicellulase enzyme is obtained from Aspergillus niger,the lipase enzyme is obtained from Aspergillus niger, and the acidprotease enzyme is obtained from Aspergillus niger var. macrosporus. Ina method of use embodiment, the present invention relates to a method ofalleviating gastrointestinal distress in the gastrointestinal system ofa human being, which distress is caused by ingested food containingoligosaccharides, said method comprising the step of ingesting abeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement composition comprising abeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulaseenzyme, to convert oligosaccharides contained in the ingested food toreducing sugars. The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme of the enzyme foodsupplement composition converts the oligosaccharides to reducing sugars.The cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes of the enzyme food supplementcomposition degrade cellulosic and hemicellulosic constituents containedin the ingested food, to attain an enhanced quantity of reducing sugarsthrough oligosaccharide conversion.

In another method of use embodiment, the present invention furtherrelates to a method of alleviating gastrointestinal distress in thegastrointestinal system of a human being, which distress is caused byingested food containing oligosaccharides, said method comprising thestep of ingesting an enzyme food supplement composition comprising abeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, a cellulase enzyme, a hemicellulaseenzyme, a lipase enzyme and an acid protease enzyme, to convertoligosaccharides contained in the ingested food to reducing sugars. Thebeta-fructofuranosidase enzyme of the enzyme food supplement compositionconverts the oligosaccharides to reducing sugars. The cellulase andhemicellulase enzymes of the enzyme food supplement composition degradecellulosic and hemicellulosic constituents contained in the ingestedfood, the lipase enzyme of the enzyme food supplement compositionhydrolyzes ingested lipids coating the ingested food, and the acidprotease enzyme of the enzyme food supplement composition deconjugatesingested lipoproteins coating the ingested food, to attain an enhancedquantity of reducing sugars through oligosaccharide conversion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement composition inaccordance with this invention includes a beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme, a cellulase enzyme and a hemicellulase enzyme.

A beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme is defined as an invertase enzyme whichcatalyses the hydrolysis of sucrose into fructose and glucose and ischaracterized by its ability to hydrolyze raffinose. Since sucrose isboth a beta-fructofuranoside and an alpha-glucoside, it is important tonote that the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme attacks the sucrosemolecule from the fructose, not the glucose, end of the molecule.Beta-fructofuranosidase enzymes are generally obtained from yeast, and aparticularly preferred beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme is obtained fromSaccharomyces cerevisiae. Although the beta-fructofuranosidase enzymecan be obtained by culturing the Saccharomyces Cerevisiae organism, thenextracting and purifying the enzyme by known and conventionaltechniques, the applicant has found it more efficient to purchase theenzyme from any one of the following sources: Bio-Cat, Inc., IndustrialDrive, Louisa, Va. 23093; Amano International Enzyme Company, Inc., 250East Zion Crossroads, Troy, Va. 22974. The invention is not, however, tobe limited by the source of the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme.

A cellulase enzyme is defined as an enzyme which is capable of degradingcellulase. The cellulase enzymes that can be utilized include thoseobtained from Aspergillus niger or Trichoderma reesei. Trichodermareesei is also referred to as Trichoderma viride. Although the use of acellulase enzyme from a fungal source is preferred, the invention isnot, however, to be limited by the source of the cellulase enzyme. Ahemicellulase enzyme is defined as an enzyme which is capable ofhydrolyzing specific types of hexosans and pentosans, including more orless complex mannans, galactans and xylans. A hemicellulase enzyme thatcan be utilized includes the hemicellulase enzyme obtained fromAspergillus niger. Notwithstanding that the use of a hemicellulaseenzyme from a fungal source is preferred, the invention is not, however,to be limited by the source of the hemicellulase enzyme. Although boththe cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes can be obtained by culturing anorganism, then extracting and purifying the enzyme by known andconventional techniques, the applicant has found it more efficient topurchase the cellulase and hemicellulase fungal enzymes from any one ofthe following sources: Bio-Cat, Inc., Industrial Drive, Louisa, Va.23093; Amano International Enzyme Company, Inc., 250 East ZionCrossroads, Troy, Va, 22974.

The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, cellulase enzyme and hemicellulaseenzyme may be used, in accordance with the subject invention, in thefollowing concentrations: for the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, aconcentration of at least 25,500 Sumner units per gram of thecomposition; for the cellulase enzyme, a concentration of at least12,000 FPU (Filter paper units) per gram of the composition; and for thehemicellulase enzyme, a concentration of at least 250 HCU (Hemicellulaseunits) per gram of composition. The amount of enzyme is not critical.However, for reasons of economics, an excessive quantity of enzymeshould be avoided, and for reasons of utility, at least the minimumamount to produce satisfactory results should be used.

In another embodiment of this invention, the beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme food supplement composition includes a beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme, a cellulase enzyme, a hemicellulase enzyme, a lipase enzyme andan acid protease enzyme.

The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, cellulase enzyme and hemicellulaseenzyme of this embodiment are as defined above. The lipase enzyme isdefined as an enzyme which is capable of hydrolyzing lipids. The lipaseenzyme that is preferred is obtained from Aspergillus niger. Althoughthe use of a lipase enzyme from the fungal source Aspergillus niger ispreferred, the invention is not, however, to be limited by the source ofthe lipase enzyme. Although the lipase enzyme can be obtained byculturing the Aspergillus niger organism, then extracting and purifyingthe enzyme by known and conventional techniques, the applicant has foundit more efficient to purchase the lipase enzyme from any one of thefollowing sources: Bio-Cat, Inc., Industrial Drive, Louisa, Va. 23093;Amano International Enzyme Company, Inc., 250 East Zion Crossroads,Troy, Va. 22974.

An acid protease enzyme is defined as an enzyme, which is capable ofbreaking down proteins and their degradation products, polypeptides andpeptides, by hydrolysis, and is active in a pH environment ranging froma pH of 2 to a pH of 8, with the optimum pH being around 6. The acidprotease enzymes that can be utilized include those obtained fromRhizopus niveus and Aspergillus niger var. macrosporus. Although theenzyme can be obtained by culturing the above-mentioned organisms, thenextracting and purifying the enzyme by known and conventionaltechniques, the applicant has found it more efficient to purchase theacid protease enzyme from any one of the following sources: Bio-Cat,Inc., Industrial Drive, Louisa, Va. 23093; Amano International EnzymeCompany, Inc., 250 East Zion Crossroads, Troy, Va. 22974. The inventionis not, however, to be limited by the source of the lipase enzyme.

The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, cellulase enzyme, hemicellulaseenzyme, lipase enzyme and acid protease enzyme may be used, inaccordance with this embodiment of the subject invention, in thefollowing concentrations: for the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, aconcentration of at least 25,500 Sumner units per gram of thecomposition; for the cellulase enzyme, a concentration of at least12,000 FPU (Filter paper units) per gram of the composition; for thehemicellulase enzyme, a concentration of at least 250 HCU (Hemicellulaseunits) per gram of composition; for the lipase enzyme, a concentrationof at least 750 FIP units per gram of composition; and for the acidprotease enzyme, a concentration of at least 500 Acid protease units pergram of composition. The amount of enzyme is not critical. However, forreasons of economics, an excessive quantity of enzyme should be avoided,and for reasons of utility, at least the minimum amount to producesatisfactory results should be used.

Another ingredient which is commonly added, although not essential, tothe enzyme food supplement compositions of the present invention is acarrier material. Suitable carrier materials include potato starch,maltodextrins, modified starches, direct compression tablet excipientssuch as dicalcium phosphate, calcium sulfate and sucrose. A particularlypreferred carrier ingredient is the 10 DE Maltrin M100 maltodextrin fromGrain Processing Corporation. Carriers can be added in concentrationsranging from 50 to 95 weight percent of the total composition.

Various other additives which are conventionally added to enzyme foodsupplement compositions, such as preservatives and the like, may beutilized.

The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement composition of thepresent invention was designed for use as a tablet, capsule or powderfood supplement, to be taken with foods containing oligosaccharides.

One method of ingredient incorporation for the beta-fructofuranosidaseenzyme food supplement compositions, in accordance with this invention,and as used to formulate the examples is as follows:

EXAMPLES

In one embodiment, a typical beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme foodsupplement composition of the present invention comprises the followingingredients: (1) 5.0 weight percent of beta-fructofuranosidase (exSaccharomyces cerevisiae) containing approximately 85,000 Sumner unitsper gram of beta-fructofuranosidase obtained from Bio-Cat, Inc.; (2) 5.0weight percent of cellulase (ex Trichoderma viride (reesei)) containingapproximately 24,000 FPU per gram of cellulase enzyme obtained fromBio-Cat, Inc.; and (3) 5.0 weight percent of hemicellulase (exAspergillus niger) containing approximately 500 HCU per gram ofhemicellulase enzyme, also obtained from Bio-Cat, Inc. The remainder ofthe composition consists of 85.0 weight percent of potato starch. Theweight percents are weight percentages of the total composition. The85,000 Sumner units per gram for the beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme, the24,000 FPU per gram for the cellulase enzyme, and the 500 HCU per gramfor the hemicellulase enzyme are standard units of enzyme activity pergram of individual enzyme, as explained in more detail below.

In another embodiment, a typical beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme foodsupplement composition of the present invention comprises the followingingredients: (1) 60.0 weight percent of beta-fructofuranosidase (exSaccharomyces cerevisiae) containing approximately 85,000 Sumner unitsper gram of beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme obtained from Bio-Cat, Inc.;(2) 10.0 weight percent of cellulase (ex Trichoderma viride (reesei))containing approximately 240,000 FPU per gram of cellulase enzymeobtained from Bio-Cat, Inc.; (3) 10.0 weight percent of hemicellulase(ex Aspergillus niger) containing approximately 5,000 HCU per gram ofhemicellulase enzyme, also obtained from Bio-Cat, Inc.; (4) 15.0 weightpercent of lipase (ex Aspergillus niger) containing approximately100,000 FIP units per gram of lipase, also obtained from Bio-Cat, Inc.;and (5) 5.0 weight percent of acid protease (ex Aspergillus niger var.macrosporus) containing approximately 20,000 Acid protease units pergram of acid protease enzyme, also obtained from Bio-Cat, Inc. Theweight percents are weight percentages of the total composition. The85,000 Sumner units per gram for the beta-fructofuranosidase, the240,000 FPU per gram for the cellulase enzyme, the 5,000 HCU per gramfor the hemicellulase enzyme, the 100,000 FIP units per gram for thelipase enzyme, and the 20,000 Acid protease units per gram for the acidprotease enzyme are standard units of enzyme activity per gram ofindividual enzyme as explained below. The total enzyme activity per gramof this particular embodiment of the invention described in the aboveexample is as follows: beta-fructofuranosidase invertase enzyme: 51,000Sumner u/gram; cellulase enzyme: 24,000 FPU/gram; hemicellulase enzyme:500 HCU/gram; lipase enzyme: 15,000 FIP u/gram; and acid proteaseenzyme: 1,000 u/gram.

A Sumner unit is defined as that quantity of enzyme required, understandard conditions, which forms 1 mg of invert sugar from 325 mg ofsucrose in 5 minutes at 25° C. An invertase enzyme breaks down sucrosewith the formation of invert sugar. The formation of invert sugar understandard conditions is determined with dinitrosalicylic acid-phenolreagent. A FPU unit (Filter Paper Unit) is defined as that quantity ofenzyme required, under the conditions of the assay stated in Ghose, T.K., Measurement of Cellulase Activity, IUFAC Commission on Biotechnology(1984). The cellulase in the sample hydrolyzes the substrate which isfilter paper, and the reducing sugars thus released are assayedspectrophotometrically using dinitrosalicylic acid. An HCU unit(Hemicellulase Unit) is that activity that will produce a relativefluidity change of 1 over a period of five minutes in a defined locustbean gum substrate under the conditions specified in the assay stated inthe above-referenced texts, section Hemicellulase Activity, pp. 490-491.The assay is based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of the interiorglucosidic bonds of a defined locust bean gum substrate at pH 4.5 and40° C. The corresponding reduction in substrate viscosity is determinedwith a calibrated viscometer. One FIP unit of enzyme activity is theamount contained in a standard preparation which liberates onemicroequivalent of fatty acid per minute under the conditions of theassay. Pharmaceutical Enzymes, Microbial Lipases, § 8, pp. 210-213. Thespecific activity is expressed in international FIP units per mg ofenzyme preparation. One unit of Acid protease activity is defined as thequantity of the enzyme to produce amino acids equivalent to 100 units oftyrosine in 1 ml of filtrate per 60 minutes at 37° C.

In order to make a beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplementcomposition in accordance with this invention, the purified enzymes,which were purchased from Bio-Cat, Inc., were dry-blended until auniform mixture was obtained.

The present enzyme food supplement composition is ingested in the samemanner as any food product and preferably taken immediately after orduring ingestion of the food containing the oligosaccharides raffinose,stachyose and verbascose.

The beta-fructofuranosidase enzyme food supplement compositions of thepresent invention may be illustrated by way of the above examples whichis presented for illustration and not intended to be limiting to thescope of the invention. The invention is not to be limited except as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An enzyme food supplement composition, whichalleviates gastrointestinal distress caused by ingested food containingoligosaccharides, said composition comprising at least about 25,000Sumner units per gram of said composition of a beta-fructofuranosidase,at least about 12,000 Filter Paper Units per gram of said composition ofa cellulase and at least about 250 Hemicellulase Units per gram of saidcomposition of a hemicellulase.
 2. The composition of claim 1, whereinthe beta-fructofuranosidase is obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the cellulase is obtained from amember selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus niger andTrichoderma viride (reesei).
 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein thehemicellulase is obtained from Aspergillus niger.
 5. An enzyme foodsupplement composition, which alleviates gastrointestinal distresscaused by ingested food containing oligosaccharides, said compositioncomprising at least about 25,000 Sumner units per gram of saidcomposition of a beta-fructofuranosidase, at least about 12,000 FilterPaper Units per gram of said composition of a cellulase, at least about250 Hemicellulase Units per gram of said composition of a hemicellulase,at least about 750 FIP units per gram of said composition of a lipaseand at least about 500 Acid protease units per gram of said compositionof an acid protease.
 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein thebeta-fructofuranosidase is obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae. 7.The composition of claim 5, wherein the cellulase is obtained from amember selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus niger andTrichoderma viride (reesei).
 8. The composition of claim 5, wherein thehemicellulase is obtained from Aspergillus niger.
 9. The composition ofclaim 5, wherein the lipase is obtained from Aspergillus niger.
 10. Thecomposition of claim 5, wherein the acid protease is obtained from amember selected from the group consisting of Aspergillus niger var.macrosporus and Rhizopus niveus.